Can a 70 RR coupe/ht be converted to a convertible?

[conv67bdere]

Are these available aftermarket or do they have to be fabbed?

The frame connectors were purchased from USCartools - but fabbing them up ( now that I've got some experience ) would not be very difficult.
The rocker to rocker connectors are not available anywhere - they were fabbed up in the shop ( with a "dream" and a prayer ) . . . turned out pretty nice ( IMO )

Also forgot - I did rocker to frame connector . and then frame connector to frame connector ( the part you see here ) - then frame connector to rocker on the other side . . . so it was (3) parts . . .

Of course, mine being a convertible - it already had the torque boxes installed ( but you can buy them at USCartools too )

 

[garrett1308]

2nd picture will be most beneficial, followed by the fourth. I'm going to move the car later this week if I don't get tied up. Will get a lot more pics then.

Garrett- This is the kind of info I was talking about. Are you restoring a 70? Pictures would be great, especially of any frame work/torque boxes. Is the quarter on the convertible the same as on the HT, with just the pillar removed? I guess the Dutchmen Panel has to be cut for the convertible boot molding. It really doesn't seem like that much modification and fabrication. Thanks for the insight. Do you have a build thread for your restore?

Yes, just started on it. Will be getting plenty of pictures of it soon. As of right now, it's thin in the photo department... Do have a build thread, just got the sheet metal for the car in. Going to have to modify the wheel well houses as they don't repop the convertible ones. Quarters are the same, though the top area is different, and would require some fab work to get the bends right.

It would be a lot of work to get a hard top to be a functional convertible. Would a non functional convertible work for you? I know I've seen a lot of mustangs done like that.

 

[cudak888]

Slightly OT - but pretty solid looking project there...almost looks like it could be made to roll out.

Rather like that all-white '69 Ford there too. Reminds me of the 4-door '69 used by Toby Halicki's car theft ring in the original Gone in 60 Seconds.

-Kurt

 

[chargervert]

I had a rusty 68 Satellite convertible that I was going to convert to a 70 Road Runner convertible clone. I had started buying up the parts to do the conversion. I decided that I had to many projects to do so I sold the car. I still have some of the peices I bought to convert it to a 70. I used another 68 Satellite convertible and a 70 Charger to build a 70 Charger R/T convertible. Converting a 68/69 Coronet or Satellite convertible to a 70 Plymouth convertible is doable. You will be better off to start with a car that is already a convertible, and reskin it to your liking.

 

[NJRR]

I had a rusty 68 Satellite convertible that I was going to convert to a 70 Road Runner convertible clone. I had started buying up the parts to do the conversion. I decided that I had to many projects to do so I sold the car. I still have some of the peices I bought to convert it to a 70. I used another 68 Satellite convertible and a 70 Charger to build a 70 Charger R/T convertible. Converting a 68/69 Coronet or Satellite convertible to a 70 Plymouth convertible is doable. You will be better off to start with a car that is already a convertible, and reskin it to your liking.

I agree 100% that starting off with a convertible is a better option. I think rebuilding a rust bucket convertible from the frame up vs converting a totally solid and finished HT into a convertible might be an easier, less expensive option.

After the few responses here, I think this is the majority of what needs to be done:

1- Cut off roof and B/C pillar and reshape Dutchman Panel for convertible top.
2- Finish top of windshield to accept conv top
3- Replace back seat and back side panels to make room for top frame
4- Install top,frame, pumps, switch
5- Reinforce body- torque boxes, sub-frame connectors.
6- Finish and trim.

Am I missing anything major?

Chargervert- If you can PM me what parts you have, I might be interested. Thanks.

 

[NJRR]

2nd picture will be most beneficial, followed by the fourth. I'm going to move the car later this week if I don't get tied up. Will get a lot more pics then.
View attachment 415439 View attachment 415440 View attachment 415441 View attachment 415442

Yes, just started on it. Will be getting plenty of pictures of it soon. As of right now, it's thin in the photo department... Do have a build thread, just got the sheet metal for the car in. Going to have to modify the wheel well houses as they don't repop the convertible ones. Quarters are the same, though the top area is different, and would require some fab work to get the bends right.

It would be a lot of work to get a hard top to be a functional convertible. Would a non functional convertible work for you? I know I've seen a lot of mustangs done like that.

Non-functional convertible isn't really worth the effort to me, still have to do most of the modifications. I think cutting the roof off and reinforcing the frame is more than half the job.

 

[AMX364]

Instead of a convertible how about a removable hardtop? Use a custom made fiberglass or metal removable top. Frame connectors really do help, I always use them mainly to help stop rattles. US Car Tool is what I normally use, weld in only and looks more like factory done that way, will have to reroute some lines like brake, fuel and parking brake cables. Have a 68 Chevelle conv that I thought of doing this with, heated back window and driving in the winter would be the reasons.

edit: If start with frame reinforcements then if change your mind you have done nothing bad or something that is hard to correct.

 

[garrett1308]

Wheel well houses will need to be modified so the top will fit.

If I'm not mistaken, the front windshield is different for convertibles.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Wheel well houses will need to be modified so the top will fit.

If I'm not mistaken, the front windshield is different for convertibles.

Windshield is different, side glass, door pillars....and the list goes on.

 

[Brandy]

I once made a 63 Comet convertible out of a hard top. But, I had a wrecked 63 vert body with a good top and windshield frame to use. If I rememberize coreectly they were very different under the skin, with the usual being seat width , wells, stiffening, trim, windshield and other glass..

 

[NJRR]

Wheel well houses will need to be modified so the top will fit.

If I'm not mistaken, the front windshield is different for convertibles.

Just looked this up. Correct. This adds a significant amount of work, probably making it not feasible cost wise.

 

[Brandy]

Good call.

 

[BeatersRus]

theres a guy i read about awhile back,who does this to Cudas.
hes got it down to a science,and is doing challengers as well.
this is Not a backyard endeavor either.
you would be way ahead using a convertible body as a start.
jmo.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Anything can be done, but what you are proposing isn't financially practical. Think of cutting up two 10 dollar bills (front and rear) and gluing all the numbers and pictures onto a 1 dollar bill and trying to pass that 1 dollar bill as a 10 dollar bill.

Makes no sense, does it?

Just looked this up. Correct. This adds a significant amount of work, probably making it not feasible cost wise.

See, I was right.

 

[NJRR]

See, I was right.

With the dollar bill analogy? Not even close. The pasted up 1 dollar bill could never be used. The converted HT to ragtop, done right, would look/work same as a born ragtop.
If you want to discuss whether it's worth the cost, that's a different story. You get an F on this one RC.

 

[dsd1967]

NJRR - I'll start from front to back on differences
- front sheetmetal is interchangeable from any SW, 4dr, 2dr Plymouth B body line....that's the easy part
- Firewall, upper cowl, inner and outer door hinges are the same across coronet and belvederes....66-70
- Front framerails the same 66-70
- Front frame torque box - not always there...I have a 68 convertible that doesn't have them....regardless it's available as an aftermarket part
- Rockers.....convertible specific. Below the outer rocker is a 1/4" formed steel plate that runs the length of the rocker....it would be hard to put one into a hardtop
- Windshield to upper cowl plate stamping (where the windshield attaches...the leaded seam), windshield frame, windshield chrome surround - 68-70 convertible specific
- Windshield - I've heard that the 67 sedan and convertible windshield is interchangeable but haven't confirmed...otherwise 68-70 convertible are the same across the coronet and belvedere lines
- Doors - glass and vent frame post is different. Shell looks to be interchangeable but needs the brass wedge at the back where the door latch meets the door post
- Door latch post - convertible specific
- Rear windows - convertible specific to the 68-70 coronet and belvedere lines
- Rear interior steel panel that the window regulators mount to is convertible specific to 68-70 coronet and belvedere lines
- Dutchman - convertible specific to 68-70 coronet and belvederes
- Quarter Panels - the top portion is convertible specific and are the same across the coronet and belvederes just around the convertible top area....you would have to splice a quarter panel at the top ridge line
- Wheel tubs - they have a cap that is convertible specific but the lower portion is the same. Aftermarket parts could be modified to accept the cap. I know that 68-70 coronet and belvedere parts would interchange....I don't know about the 66-67
- Sheet metal in the convertible boot well area may be interchangeable from 66-70...definitely 68-70 coronet and belvedere
- Rear torque boxes - common across all convertible B bodies 66-70 and are available aftermarket
- Spare tire mount is unique to convertible
- Trunk lid hinges, hinge brackets, and torsion springs are convertible specific
- all the rear window tracks and hardware are convertible specific
- Rear frame rails, trunk floor, gas tank trunk lid, tail lights.....common across the 2 dr and 4 dr belvederes
- Top frame - 68-70 coronet and belvedere

The short version....find a 68-70 B body convertible to start with and hang the rear quarters and 70 sheet metal to it. You will be light years ahead.

 

[moparnation74]

NJRR - I'll start from front to back on differences
- front sheetmetal is interchangeable from any SW, 4dr, 2dr Plymouth B body line....that's the easy part
- Firewall, upper cowl, inner and outer door hinges are the same across coronet and belvederes....66-70
- Front framerails the same 66-70
- Front frame torque box - not always there...I have a 68 convertible that doesn't have them....regardless it's available as an aftermarket part
- Rockers.....convertible specific. Below the outer rocker is a 1/4" formed steel plate that runs the length of the rocker....it would be hard to put one into a hardtop
- Windshield to upper cowl plate stamping (where the windshield attaches...the leaded seam), windshield frame, windshield chrome surround - 68-70 convertible specific
- Windshield - I've heard that the 67 sedan and convertible windshield is interchangeable but haven't confirmed...otherwise 68-70 convertible are the same across the coronet and belvedere lines
- Doors - glass and vent frame post is different. Shell looks to be interchangeable but needs the brass wedge at the back where the door latch meets the door post
- Door latch post - convertible specific
- Rear windows - convertible specific to the 68-70 coronet and belvedere lines
- Rear interior steel panel that the window regulators mount to is convertible specific to 68-70 coronet and belvedere lines
- Dutchman - convertible specific to 68-70 coronet and belvederes
- Quarter Panels - the top portion is convertible specific and are the same across the coronet and belvederes just around the convertible top area....you would have to splice a quarter panel at the top ridge line
- Wheel tubs - they have a cap that is convertible specific but the lower portion is the same. Aftermarket parts could be modified to accept the cap. I know that 68-70 coronet and belvedere parts would interchange....I don't know about the 66-67
- Sheet metal in the convertible boot well area may be interchangeable from 66-70...definitely 68-70 coronet and belvedere
- Rear torque boxes - common across all convertible B bodies 66-70 and are available aftermarket
- Spare tire mount is unique to convertible
- Trunk lid hinges, hinge brackets, and torsion springs are convertible specific
- all the rear window tracks and hardware are convertible specific
- Rear frame rails, trunk floor, gas tank trunk lid, tail lights.....common across the 2 dr and 4 dr belvederes
- Top frame - 68-70 coronet and belvedere

The short version....find a 68-70 B body convertible to start with and hang the rear quarters and 70 sheet metal to it. You will be light years ahead.

The last sentence is the what everyone has been saying......The ones that state this KNOW what it takes to rebuild this type of car....

 

[Richard Cranium]

With the dollar bill analogy? Not even close. The pasted up 1 dollar bill could never be used. The converted HT to ragtop, done right, would look/work same as a born ragtop.
If you want to discuss whether it's worth the cost, that's a different story. You get an F on this one RC.

 

[chargervert]

Here is a picture of the Chargervert

 

[cudak888]

Here is a picture of the Chargervert

View attachment 415695

No matter how many Charger convertible conversions are made, they'll never look right until someone redesigns the Coronet/Belvedere convertible frame to work with a Charger windshield frame. 50% of the Charger's looks comes from the lower greenhouse and aggressive tumblehome (for the pre-fuselage era, anyway).

Plopping the tall convertible roofline on them makes the end result look like a huge '67 Dart convertible - only the Dart wears the result better.

-Kurt